Progress report:
I have connected the W371A+8351Bs via AES/EBU to the Trinnov Altitude 16. The L/R channels are positioned approximately 25 degrees azimuth from the MLP, as depicted below. Sightly narrower than ideal but provides ~36" breathing room to the side walls. They 8351Bs are 24" int front of the absorber/diffuser panels.
View from MLP:
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View from Right Surround:
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View from Left Rear Surround:
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I first calibrated the L/R channels via GLM 4.2, prioritizing for Directivity Control. Then I ran the Trinnov calibration wizard for all speakers. Here are some calibration results:
Left:
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Right:
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Center: (Some nastiness, probably due to the coffee table).
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Combined response of 3 RS1 subs: (Already pretty flat due to MSO filters in MiniDSP flex).
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I think the calibration can be improved to some degree - I'll keep trying. But these results are on-par with my previous attempts prior to installation of the W371's.
Listening tests - I've cherry-picked some familiar bass-heavy tracks:
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Plenty of clean, tactile bass even with an average listening SPL of ~80 dB.
My perception is that the entire soundstage is much taller and slightly wider due to the increased height of the 8351B's atop the W371's. I typically engage the Auro3D upmixer, which produces emphasizes the lush ambience on chamber and instrumental music - my genre of choice. Stuff like these therobo recordings:
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I haven't researched whether these were actually recording in a large space, but they certainly convey a sizeable sense of space. I believe that low frequency extension on the surrounds as well as the L/R fronts helps to create a credible surround field.
I'll post additional observations as I continue to tweak the system.